On this roll call, the Senate failed to "invoke cloture" (end debate) on an amendment by Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) that reflected the content of the Shays-Meehan "campaign finance reform" bill (H.R. 417), which had already been passed by the House. NRLC opposed the Shays-Meehan bill (Daschle Amendment) because it contained sweeping restrictions on the right of NRLC, NRLC affiliates, and other citizens' groups to communicate with the public regarding the positions and votes of federal politicians, and regarding upcoming votes in Congress. For details on the objectionable provisions, see http://nrlc.org/Federal/Free_Speech/index.html. NRLC urged a "no" vote on invoking cloture. 48 senators voted against cloture while 52 senators voted in favor of cloture -- eight votes short of the 60 votes required, under Senate rules, to end debate. Vote No. 330, October 19, 1999.